Nilambur

Last updated

Nilambur
Municipality
Taluk
Great Horn Bill 1.jpg
A resort at Nilambur
Nickname: 
The Teak Town [1] [2]
India Kerala location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nilambur
Location in Kerala
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nilambur
Location in India
Coordinates: 11°16′37″N76°13′33″E / 11.27694°N 76.22583°E / 11.27694; 76.22583
CountryIndia
State Kerala
District Malappuram
Area
[3]
  Total
30.79 km2 (11.89 sq mi)
Elevation
400 m (1,300 ft)
Population
 (2011) [3]
  Total
46,366
Vehicle registration KL-71
Website www.nilambur.lsgkerala.gov.in

Nilambur is a major town, a municipality and a Taluk in the Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is located close to the Nilgiris range of the Western Ghats on the banks of the Chaliyar River. [4] This place is also known as 'Teak Town' because of the abundance of Nilambur teaks, which is a variety of a large, deciduous tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. Unlike many Municipalities of India; Nilambur is covered with large amounts of vegetation, making it very scenic.

Contents

Nilambur Coconut Tree - Flickr - sajinrajknilambur.jpg
Nilambur

In the British records, Nilambur and its surroundings are collectively described as Nilambur Valley. [5] The bank of river Chaliyar at Nilambur region is also known for natural Gold fields. [6] Explorations done at the valley of the river Chaliyar in Nilambur has shown reserves of the order of 2.5 million cubic meters of placers with 0.1 gram per cubic meter of gold. [7] The hilly forested area of Nilambur Taluk forms a portion of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of rich biodiversity. Nilambur is located about 90 km (56 mi) west of Ooty and 48 km (30 mi) southwest of Gudalur town, and 27 km (17 mi) northeast of Manjeri, on Ooty-Gudalur-Nilambur-Calicut road.

The 2,554 m (8,379 ft) m high Mukurthi peak, which is situated in the border of Nilambur Taluk and Ooty Taluk, and is also the fifth-highest peak in South India as well as the third-highest in Kerala after Anamudi (2,696 m [8,845 ft]) and Meesapulimala (2,651 m [8,698 ft]), is the highest point of elevation in Malappuram district. It is also the highest peak in Kerala outside the Idukki district. The 2,383 m (7,818 ft) high Anginda peak, which is located closer to Malappuram-Palakkad-Nilgiris district border is the second-highest peak. Vavul Mala, a 2,339 m [7,674 ft] high peak situated on the trijunction of Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram, Wayanad, and Thamarassery Taluk of Kozhikode districts, is the third-highest point of elevation in the district. The Nilambur Taluk has several small and medium-sized tributaries of Chaliyar river.

UNESCO has included Nilambur in its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in recognition of the its outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level. [8]

Etymology

It is believed that Nilambur was derived from Nilambapuri, the old name of Nilambur Kingdom.

History

Conolly's plot, Nilambur Nilambur teak forest 3740.JPG
Conolly's plot, Nilambur
Teak Museum Nilambur Teak Garden.jpg
Teak Museum

The teaks for the construction of Uru , a kind of ships those were used for maritime trade through Beypore port, were usually taken from Nilambur Teak Forests. [9] The oldest teak plantation of the world in the Conolly's plot is just two km (1.2 mi) from the town. It was named in memory of Henry Valentine Conolly, the then Malabar district collector. [10] Teak Museum at Nilambur is maintained by the Kerala Forest Research Institute which was established for the memory of the oldest known Teak plantation in the world. The town is also famous for Nilambur Kovilakam, where the Nilambur Rajas resided and ruled the land. [11] Nilambur Rajas were vassals to the Zamorins of Calicut, based at Nilambur.

The Nilambur–Shoranur line is among the shortest as well as picturesque broad gauge railway lines in India. [12] It was laid by the British in colonial era for the transportation of Nilambur Teak logs into United Kingdom through Kozhikode. During British rule, Nilambur's chief importance laid in producing teaks. In the old administrative records of the Madras Presidency, it is recorded that the most remarkable plantation owned by Government in the erstwhile Madras Presidency was the Teak plantation at Nilambur planted in 1844. [13]

Nilambur Teak is the first forest produce to get its own GI tag. [14]

On 2nd September 2022, Nilambur joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). [15]


Civic administration

Nilambur
Nilambur Municipality

Nilambur Municipality Election 2020 [16]

S.No.Party NameParty symbolNumber of Councillors
02Independents No flag.svg 14
02 LDF Left Democratic Front (Kerala) Logo.svg 09
03 UDF UDF logo.png 09
04 BJP BJP election symbol.svg -783x768.png 01

Connectivity

A road in Nilambur Nilambur 03902.JPG
A road in Nilambur
The main block of Amal college of Advanced studies in Nilambur Amal College of Advanced Studies main block.JPG
The main block of Amal college of Advanced studies in Nilambur
Jawaharlal Nehru Municipal Bus Stand at Nilambur Jawaharlal Nehru Municipal Bus Stand, Nilambur.jpg
Jawaharlal Nehru Municipal Bus Stand at Nilambur

Nilambur is well connected to other parts of the Kerala and other parts of the country by road and rail networks. Kozhikode-Nilambur-Gudalur (SH 28) road which is a major interstate highway runs through the heart of Nilambur. Other State highways such as SH 39 (Perumbilavu - Nilambur Road) and SH 73 (Valanchery - Nilambur Road) also serves this town. Construction for Hill Highway is ongoing here. There are also wide and good quality direct road towards Kakkadampoyil of Kozhikode district from here. There is a large fleet of government and private buses and other transports serving this town. There is a KSRTC sub depot which serves the area operating both interstate and intrastate Public bus transport. This town is also served by a railway station called Nilambur road which is the terminus of Nilambur–Shoranur railway line. This railway station connects this town to other parts of India as it has regular trains which leads to shoranur junction which is the largest railway station of Kerala state.

The Nilambur–Nanjangud line is a proposed railway line, which connects Nilambur with the districts of Wayanad, Nilgiris, and Mysore. [17] [18]

The nearest International Airport is Calicut International Airport at Karipur which is 44.50 km from Nilambur.

Nilambur Taluk

Nilambur Taluk, in the eastern region of Malappuram district, is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Map of Malappuram District (April 2021).svg
Nilambur Taluk, in the eastern region of Malappuram district, is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Nilambur Taluk, also known as Eastern Eranad Taluk, comes under Perinthalmanna revenue division in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. [19] Its headquarters is the town of Nilambur. [19] Nilambur Taluk contains Nilambur Municipality and a few Gram panchayats. [19] Most of the administrative offices are located in the Mini-Civil Station at Nilambur. The position of Nilambur Taluk in Malappuram district is shown below:

Nilambur Taluk is the largest Taluk in Kerala. It is composed of 21 villages. [19] Since most of Nilambur is the jungle and hilly area, this Taluk has the least population density in the district. [3] Several tributaries of Chaliyar River flow through Nilambur Taluk. Nilambur, Wandoor, Edakkara, Mambad, Kalikavu, and Karuvarakundu, are some major towns in Nilambur Taluk. [3] Nilambur Taluk is bounded by Silent Valley National Park to south, Nilgiri mountain ranges and Pandalur, Gudalur, Ooty, and Kundah Taluks of Nilgiris district to east, Wayanad district and Thamarassery Taluk of Kozhikode district to north, and Eranad and Perinthalmanna Taluks to west. [3] The villages included in the Taluk are:

Places of Interest

View of Chaliyar river at Nilambur Chaliyar River at Nilambur.jpg
View of Chaliyar river at Nilambur
Teak forest at Conolly's plot Teak Forest @ Canolly Plote, Nilambur - panoramio (6).jpg
Teak forest at Conolly's plot

Teak Museum

The oldest Teak plantation of the world is at Conolly's plot.

Nilambur-Shoranur Railway line

Nilambur-Shoranur line DR0050DSC 7079.jpg
Nilambur–Shoranur line

The Nilambur–Shoranur line is among the shortest as well as picturesque broad gauge railway lines in India. [12] The railway line is surrounded by teak trees. It was laid by the British in colonial era for the transportation of Nilambur Teak logs into United Kingdom through Kozhikode.

Silent Valley National Park

Silent Valley National Park is located near Karuvarakundu in Nilambur Taluk. It is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, New Amarambalam Reserved Forest, and Nedumkayam Rainforest in Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram district, Attappadi Reserved Forest in Mannarkkad Taluk of Palakkad district, and Mukurthi National Park of Nilgiris district, are located around Silent Valley National Park. Mukurthi peak, the fifth-highest peak in South India, and Anginda peak are also located in its vicinity. Bhavani River, a tributary of Kaveri River, and Kunthipuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha river, originate in the vicinity of Silent Valley. The Kadalundi River has also its origin in Silent Valley. The waterfalls like Keralamkundu are also located in Karuvarakundu.

Nadukani Churam

A Ghat road which connects Nilambur with Gudalur and Ooty of neighbouring Nilgiris district. It is located at Vazhikkadavu in the eastern end of Nilambur Taluk and Malappuram district.

Vavul Mala

Several waterfalls and hillstations are located in the Gram panchayats around Vavul Mala (Urangattiri, Edavanna etc.).

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malappuram district</span> District in Kerala, India

Malappuram, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala, with a coastline of 70 km (43 mi). The most populous district of Kerala, Malappuram is home to around 13% of the total population of the state. The district was formed on 16 June 1969, spanning an area of about 3,554 km2 (1,372 sq mi). It is the third-largest district of Kerala by area. It is bounded by Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea on either side. The district is divided into seven Taluks: Eranad, Kondotty, Nilambur, Perinthalmanna, Ponnani, Tirur, and Tirurangadi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilgiris district</span> District in Tamil Nadu, India

The Nilgiris district is one of the 38 districts in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri is the name given to a range of mountains spread across the borders among the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The Nilgiri Hills are part of a larger mountain chain known as the Western Ghats. Their highest point is the mountain of Doddabetta, height 2,637 m. The district is contained mainly within the Nilgiri Mountains range. The administrative headquarters is located at Ooty. The district is bounded by Coimbatore to the south, Erode to the east, and Chamarajnagar district of Karnataka and Wayanad district of Kerala to the north. As it is located at the junction of three states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, significant Malayali and Kannadiga populations reside in the district. Nilgiris district is known for natural mines of Gold, which is also seen in the other parts of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve extended in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Kerala too.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palakkad district</span> District in Kerala, India

Palakkad is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It was carved out of the southeastern region of the former Malabar District on 1 January 1957. It is located at the central region of Kerala and is the second largest district in the state after Idukki. The city of Palakkad is the district headquarters. Palakkad is bordered on the northwest by the Malappuram district, on the southwest by the Thrissur district, on the northeast by Nilgiris district, and on the east by Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. The district is nicknamed "The granary of Kerala". Palakkad is the gateway to Kerala due to the presence of the Palakkad Gap, in the Western Ghats. The 2,383 m high Anginda peak, which is situated in the border of Palakkad district, Nilgiris district, and Malappuram district, in Silent Valley National Park, is the highest point of elevation in Palakkad district. Palakkad city is about 347 kilometres (216 mi) northeast of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaliyar</span> River in Kerala, India

Chaliyar River is the fourth longest river in Kerala at 169 km in length. The Chaliyar is also known as Chulika River, Nilambur River or Beypore River as it is near the sea. Pothukal, Chungathara, Nilambur, Mampad, Edavanna, Kavanoor, Perakamanna, Areekode, Kizhuparamba, Elamaram, Cheekkode, Vazhakkad, Vazhayur, Cheruvadi, Edavannappara, Mavoor, Peruvayal, Perumanna, Feroke and Beypore are some of the towns/villages situated along the banks of the Chaliyar. It mainly flows through Malappuram district. Its tributaries flow through both the districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode. The bank of river Chaliyar in the Nilambur region is also known for its natural Gold fields. Explorations done at the valley of the river Chaliyar in Nilambur have shown reserves of the order of 2.5 million cubic meters of placers with 0.1 gram per cubic meter of gold. It originates at the Ilambaleri hills of Nilgiri Mountains in Nilgiris district, which is also near Wayanad-Malappuram district border. It flows mainly through the erstwhile region of Eranad, and finally empties into the Arabian Sea at Beypore port, opposite to Chaliyam harbour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edavanna</span> Town in Kerala, India

Edavanna is a town situated in Eranad Taluk of Malappuram District, Kerala, South India. The town is situated on Calicut–Nilambur–Gudalur state highway and near the banks of the Chaliyar River. The Koyilandy-Edavanna state highway ends here. Edavanna is part of the Eranad Assembly constituency and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attappadi taluk</span> Tehsil in Palakkad district

Attappadi (HQ:Agali) is a tribal taluk in Kerala state covering an area of 735 km2 (284 sq mi). It was carved out of Mannarkkad taluk in Palakkad district in February 2021. Attappadi Reserve Forest is a protected area comprising 249 km2 of land in the western parts of Attappadi. It is one of the reserved forests and protected forests of India. Attappadi valley in Palakkad district along with the neighbouring Chaliyar valley of the Nilambur region in Malappuram district is known for natural Gold fields which are also seen in the other regions of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mannarkkad</span> Municipality in Kerala, India

Mannarkkad, formerly known as Mannarghat, is a major municipal town in Palakkad district of the Indian state of Kerala. The Silent Valley National Park and the Attappadi Reserve Forest are located in Mannarkkad Taluk. Mannarkkad is situated 36 km away from district headquarters Palakkad on National Highway 966. It is the traditional seat of the Mannarghat Moopil Nair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edakkara</span> Village in Kerala, India

Edakkara is a town located in Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an emerging commercial hub, and one of the busiest towns in Nilambur Taluk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amarambalam</span> Village in Kerala, India

Amarambalam is a forest village near Nilambur town and conjoins Silent Valley National Park.the main town in amarambalam is pookkoottumpadam, pookottumpadam located in Malappuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an emerging commercial hub, and one of the fastest growing towns in Nilambur Taluk.town area is 265.72 km2. Altitude rises sharply from 40 to 2,554 m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Munderi, Malappuram</span> Place in Kerala, India

Munderi is a small village in Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram District, in Kerala. It got the name from "Mount Area" as it is surrounded by mountain ranges. The un-tarred forest road from Munderi towards North through forests lead to Chooralmala in Wayanad district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vazhikkadavu</span> Village in Kerala, India

Vazhikkadavu is a village in Nilambur taluk of Malappuram district, Kerala, India. As of 2011, it has total population of 47,322.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukurthi</span>

Mukurthi Peak is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, situated on the border of Udagamandalam taluk, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, Nilambur taluk, Malappuram, and Kerala in India. It reaches an altitude of 2,554 m (8,379ft), and is the fifth-highest peak in South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karuvarakundu</span> Town in Kerala, India

Karuvarakundu is a semi-urban area in the eastern part of Malappuram district, Kerala, India. It is situated 32 kilometres (20 mi) east of Manjeri, 26 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of Perinthalmanna and 30 km southeast of Nilambur. The Olippuzha River, a tributary of the Kadalundipuzha, flows through the town. Karuvarakundu is close to the Western Ghats and hence prone to landslides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilambur–Shoranur line</span> Railway line in India

The Nilambur–Shoranur line is a 66 kilometres (41 mi)-long single-line, electrified broad-gauge (1676 mm) railway spur branch line of the Indian Railways connecting Nilambur Road railway station in Malappuram district with Shoranur Junction in Palakkad district in the state of Kerala. It is a branch line administered by the Palakkad railway division of the Southern Railway zone and one of the shortest broad-gauge railway lines in India. It was laid by the British in the colonial era for the transportation of Nilambur Teak logs to the United Kingdom through Kozhikode. The line is electrified and was inspected by railway officials from Southern Railway on 30 March 2024. With this, the Palakkad division achieved 100% electrification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eranad</span> Erstwhile Province in Kerala, India

Eranad also known as Ernad refers to the erstwhile province in the midland area of Malabar, consisting of Malappuram and nearby regions such as Anakkayam, Manjeri, Kondotty, Nilambur, etc. Currently Eranad Taluk is a Taluk in Malappuram district. Eranad was ruled by a Samanthan Nair clan known as Eradis, similar to the Vellodis of neighbouring Valluvanad and Nedungadis of Nedunganad. The rulers of Eranad were known by the title Eralppad/Eradi. They also used the title Thirumulpad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilambur Kingdom</span> Former feudal city-state in Kerala

Nilambur Kovilakam, also known as Nilambur Kingdom, was a former vassal kingdom and royal Kovilakam in present-day Kerala, India, situated near the Nilgiri range of the Western Ghats. It was ruled by Samantha Kshatriyas of the Nagavanshi clan who were the family members and representatives of the Samoothiri Raja (Zamorin), and also kept marriage relations with the Nambudiris. They served as vassal kings to the Zamorins, with their capital located 25 kilometers north of Manjeri in present-day Malappuram district. They built several aristocratic Tharavads, such as the Nambudiri stronghold of Pootheri Illam in Feroke, and married into the Zamorin's own family from Nediyiruppu Swaroopam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perinthalmanna</span> Municipal town in Kerala, India

Perinthalmanna is a major town and municipality in Malappuram district, Kerala, India. It serves as the administrative centre for the Perinthalmanna taluk, as well as a revenue division, a community development block, and a police sub-division bearing the same name. It was formerly the headquarters of Valluvanad Taluk, which was one of the two Taluks in the Malappuram Revenue Division of the erstwhile Malabar District during the British Raj. The city is located 23 kilometres (14 mi) southwest of the city of Malappuram at the centre of the Kozhikode–Malappuram–Perinthalmanna–Palakkad National Highway 966.

Malappuram is one of the 14 districts in the South Indian state of Kerala. The district has a unique and eventful history starting from pre-historic times. During the early medieval period, the district was the home to two of the four major kingdoms that ruled Kerala. Perumpadappu was the original hometown of the Kingdom of Cochin, which is also known as Perumbadappu Swaroopam, and Nediyiruppu was the original hometown of the Zamorin of Calicut, which is also known as Nediyiruppu Swaroopam. Besides, the original headquarters of the Palakkad Rajas were also at Athavanad in the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilambur Elephant Reserve</span> Elephant reserve in India

Nilambur Elephant Reserve is a wildlife reserve in Kerala, India. It has a total area of 1419 (sq. km2) and was created in 2002 as part of Project Elephant. The reserve is one of four in Kerala; the state having an elephant population of 5706 in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Malabar</span> Geographical / Historical Area in Kerala, India

South Malabar refers to a geographical area of the southwestern coast of India covering some parts of the present-day Kerala state. South Malabar covers the regions included in present-day Kozhikode taluk of Kozhikode district, Wayanad district excluding Mananthavady taluk, the whole area of Malappuram district, Chavakkad taluk of Thrissur district, and Palakkad district, excluding parts of Chittur taluk. The Fort Kochi region of Kochi city also historically belongs to South Malabar. The term South Malabar refers to the region of the erstwhile Malabar District south to the river Korapuzha, and bears a high cultural similarity to both the Cochin and the North Malabar regions.

References

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  15. "UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities: 77 new members from 44 countries". UNESCO. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
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